Weight loss/fitness is expensive! What do you still need to buy?

So, I was on Amazon the other day, looking at all the new toys I want to buy to help me in my weight loss goals. Here's a short list of what I plan to buy with-in the next month or so:

1. Resistance bands: I want to start P90X by next month (thank God I'm not paying for THAT) and I either need dumbbells or resistance bands. I figured bands would be cheaper and more versatile.

2. Scale: I guess I don't really NEED this, considering I have a scale already, but my current scale doesn't seem very accurate at all. I think I may need a new battery and if that's the case I'm better off shelling out the extra $30 or so to buy a brand new scale. (I always try and rationalize my spending, lol).

3. Yoga mat: Okay, I really don't NEED this at all. But it is recommended for P90X. I probably won't end up getting it but if it turns out I have $20 to completly and utterly waste, I might pick one up.

4. Heart rate monitor: Again, something I don't really need at all. I just think it would be so cool to have one!

5. Measuring cups (and spoons): We have a few mismatched measuring cups around the house, but no measuring spoons. I just bought a kitchen scale and what better to compliment my new purchase then a matching set of measuring cups?

Estimated total value: $150

 

 

I guess it looks expensive, but considering a gym membership can cost 50 or more dollars a month, it doesn't really sound that bad. Get things you will actually use. A yoga mat is not really a necessary item. I se mine because I have ahrdwood floors, but if I had carpet, I would not have bought it. I bought a set of resistance bands for around $15, and they work great!

 The most important thing I need to get is a food scale. I am not sure how they cost, my hubby wants one fore cooking, and I want one for weight loss...go figure.

Let's see I've needed, measuring cups and spoons, gym membership, money for whole foods, and a pair of running shoes.  I wanted a food scale too, but I never did get one.

Exercise Bike, I want one so badly but I'm making myself wait until my town wide garage sale.  Surely someone bought one with the best of intentions then hung their clothes on it.  If i can't find one then off to walmart I go.

Original Post by kristicro:

I guess it looks expensive, but considering a gym membership can cost 50 or more dollars a month, it doesn't really sound that bad. Get things you will actually use. A yoga mat is not really a necessary item. I se mine because I have ahrdwood floors, but if I had carpet, I would not have bought it. I bought a set of resistance bands for around $15, and they work great!

 The most important thing I need to get is a food scale. I am not sure how they cost, my hubby wants one fore cooking, and I want one for weight loss...go figure.

My food scale cost about $30. I saw some as low as 15 bucks, but they were very small and not digital. The most expensive one I saw in the store (Bed, Bath, and Beyond) was around $100. So for $30-$40 you could get yourself a pretty decent scale.

i don't need anything.  i have good shoes and socks.

I have been trying to do the whole fitness thing on a pretty small budget.  I run/walk.  So probably the biggest amount I have spent would be on my shoes.  I had to get some new workout clothes a few weeks ago because my pants kept falling down when I would run!  But the only thing I really want now is a food scale.  Of course, if I could, I would probably go crazy with exercise bands, weights, new scale, DVD's, you name it!

I bought;

digital scale $20

Billy's Basic Training Bootcamp $15

Billy Blanks' Bootcamp Elite (package, including bands and 3 dvds) $30

Protein shake mix $12/month

Quarter pass at the city weight room (includes doctor scale for weekly weigh in) $15

Oh and the workout clothes, many of which don't fit anymore.  $lot

500lb olympic weight set?

I bought a simple (non-digital) food scale at wal-mart for $8...it serves it's purpose...just had to use the calibration dial on the back...no prob...has been terribly handy...

have you considered ebay for some of your workout equipment? as mentioned before...same as a garage sale...people offload things they bought and never used FREQUENTLY...might be a less expensive alternative...

but i wonder...do you really want the items...or just the thrill of buying them??? cuz you sound alot like me in that regard..."i'll get this...i need this..."

pay close attention to the advice of the "socks and shoes" reply...makes sense...working out is what you make it...and you don't need any equipment for good old fashioned running and push-ups...

Original Post by joekame:

Measuring cups (and spoons): We have a few mismatched measuring cups around the house, but no measuring spoons.  

Wow - this kind of perplexed me.  You don't have measuring spoons?  Do you never bake or cook anything that requires a teaspoon or tablespoon of anything?

As for the fitness, it doesn't have to be fancy.  As mentioned, sometimes all you need is a decent pair of socks and shoes, and you don't need fancy equipment for push ups, crunches, and jumping jacks. 

santo, it's amazing how many people don't cook.  like - at all.

I really, really want the ipod + nike sports kit. It's €30 on the apple website and unfortunately, they don't sell them in shops, so I don't even know if my parents will allow me to use their credit card and pay them back! To use with this, I need a need ipod, becuase mine has broke - 15 days after the warantee was up!!! Typical! It will be expensive, but it's not specifically for fitness, I NEED my ipod! So, in total, it will come to around €160, I have €110 at the moment! Oh, I wish I had a job... Hopefully my neighbour will need her kids babysat soon!

Resistance bands are okay, but I've found that weights are better for my workouts.  I can see a real progression with them as I use heavier ones.

And I would suggest getting some actual dumbbells with adjustable weights.  Otherwise they do get expensive and you have to find a place to put all the various pairs, 1lb, 3lb, 5lb, 8lb, etc... I wish I had just gone out originally and got the old fashioned kind that I have now.  You pay a little for the bars and then you just buy new plates (I think that's what they're caller) as you need more weight. 

I still need to keep buying high-grade dog food. It's my secret ingredient.

If the dog's not healthy--there goes my exercise program.

Seriously--find myself spending LESS money since eating right than before. We get more bang for our buck, since the junk food and processed garbage--looking at the big picture--is ounce for ounce more expensive than laying in fresh fruits and veggies, smaller portions of poultry and fish, and whole grains.

Hi!

I have a wish list too. Lucky for me I have found eBay to be most helpful.

My tanita scale is awesome (body fat, water, bone density, etc). $30 on eBay, $120 in stores.

I also love Bella yoga pants/fitness pants. They hold ya in in all the right places! ;D. I buy them on eBay for like $17 and in lululemon they are about $40 or so.

I never go to GNC or MaXX Muscle stores bc too dang expensive... I go to netrition.com or buildingbrawn.com or sometimes eBay about once every other month and spend about $100 on all my supplements and bars and lo-carb baking products.

Need: Polar f4 or f6 heart/calorie monitor. Free weights (5, 7.5, 10, & 15lb). Ankle/Wrist weights. Ipod Strap for my arm. Pilates Ball for at home crunches. Medicine Ball. Kitchen food scale.

Original Post by j9gwen:

Exercise Bike, I want one so badly but I'm making myself wait until my town wide garage sale.  Surely someone bought one with the best of intentions then hung their clothes on it.  If i can't find one then off to walmart I go.

 

Lmao oh my god i just HAD to reply to that!
I read it, looked at my exercise bike and laughed.
I have both my bag and a hoodie hanging on it.
I do use it (2-4 times in a good week.. and obviously 0 in a bad week), but in the mean time i use it as a coat hanger

Original Post by pgeorgian:

santo, it's amazing how many people don't cook.  like - at all.

I once had a friend tell me that she was so useless in the kitchen, she didn't even know how to cook a chicken breast.

I was in complete shock.  That's like the easiest thing in the world, and kinda' hard to screw up.

I guess that's why they have a show called "How to Boil Water"

my birthday is in a month and a half and on my amazon wish list i have a food scale and a heart rate monitor. i also had an mp3 player on there but i broke down and bought it for myself because my old ipod mini finally died completely. i'm currently on an intro package at my gym but in a couple weeks if i want to continue, which i do, i'll have to sign a contract and i think the monthly cost is like $49 :( i cant wait til we hopefully move to an area with a cheaper cost of living.

Original Post by santonacci:

Original Post by joekame:

Measuring cups (and spoons): We have a few mismatched measuring cups around the house, but no measuring spoons.  

Wow - this kind of perplexed me.  You don't have measuring spoons?  Do you never bake or cook anything that requires a teaspoon or tablespoon of anything?

As for the fitness, it doesn't have to be fancy.  As mentioned, sometimes all you need is a decent pair of socks and shoes, and you don't need fancy equipment for push ups, crunches, and jumping jacks. 

Okay, well I have a few teaspoons and tablespoons but I want a MATCHING SET. I guess I'm high maintaince like that!

I have bought:

30 euros Exercise bike

30 euros digital food scale

15 euros digital scale

160 euros asics running shoes

20 euros barbells and exercise ball

It may sound expensive,and overmaterialistic but they really helped me,getting of the couch and get moving.I first get excited for the new item,and then I don't want all the money to be for nothing.

Sad I know,but at least it worked for me,losing 40 pounds.